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US 12,588,804 B2Granted
Endoscope bending section
AssigneeCook Medical Technologies LLC
InventorsJohn Crowder Sigmon, Jr., Shaun D. Gittard
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Endoscope systems with bending sections that can bend in four directions independent of the rotatable viewing configuration of the endoscope systems are provided. Embodiments include continuous and uncontinuous ribs that provide for at least one accessory channel structure to be movable laterally into and out of a longitudinal interior cavity circumferentially defined by the ribs. Methods of using the endoscope systems in a patient's body are further provided.
Claims19
A scope system, comprising:
- an elongate tube comprising at least one lumen extending longitudinally from a proximal portion to a distal portion;
- the distal portion comprising a plurality of ring-shaped ribs and a plurality of circumferentially uncontinuous ribs, where a rib opening defines an uncontinuous aspect of each of the circumferentially uncontinuous ribs;
- at least one tubular structure comprising an accessory lumen extending longitudinally as an accessory channel through the at least one tubular structure, the at least one tubular structure movably disposed at least partially within the lumen of the elongate tube, the at least one tubular structure including a distal end section attached to the distal portion of the elongate tube;
- where each of the plurality of ring-shaped ribs encircles the at least one tubular structure and each of the plurality of circumferentially uncontinuous ribs partially encircles the at least one tubular structure;
- at least one control wire connected to the distal portion of the elongate tube and extending proximally along the elongate tube;
- wherein proximal movement of the at least one control wire bends the distal portion in a first direction;
- wherein the at least one control wire extends through and connects the plurality of ring-shaped ribs and the plurality of circumferentially uncontinuous ribs along a length of the elongate tube;
- wherein the rib openings of the plurality of circumferentially uncontinuous ribs are coaxial;
- and
- wherein a lengthwise portion of the at least one tubular structure is movable laterally through the rib openings into and out from an interior cavity of each of the plurality of circumferentially uncontinuous ribs.
7 more elements
A scope system, comprising:
- an elongate tube comprising a lumen extending therethrough, the elongate tube further comprising a distal portion, the distal portion comprising a plurality of ring-shaped ribs and a plurality of circumferentially uncontinuous ribs, each of the plurality of circumferentially uncontinuous ribs comprising a rib opening, the rib openings of the plurality of circumferentially uncontinuous ribs being coaxial;
- at least one tubular accessory channel structure comprising an accessory lumen extending therethrough, each of the plurality of ring-shaped ribs encircling the at least one accessory channel structure and each of the plurality of circumferentially uncontinuous ribs partially encircling the at least one accessory channel structure, the at least one accessory channel structure movably disposed at least partially within the lumen of the elongate tube, the at least one accessory channel structure comprising a distal end section;
- at least a first control wire and a second control wire, each separately connected to the distal portion of the elongate tube and extending proximally along the elongate tube;
- wherein proximal movement of the first control wire bends the distal portion in a first direction and proximal movement of the second control wire bends the distal portion in a second direction different from the first direction;
- and
- wherein the at least one accessory channel structure includes a portion that is reversibly movable laterally through the rib openings of the plurality of circumferentially uncontinuous ribs.
3 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.